Hitachi Data Systems Names Jeff German Group VicePresident and General Manager of Customer...

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1999--

Hitachi Data Systems today announced that Jeff German has been named Group Vice President and General Manager of Customer Service and Support.

In his new role, he will direct Hitachi Data Systems' service and support for all

German will oversee unified global support of Hitachi products at the global service and support headquarters in San Diego. At this site, he will be employing real-time electronic infrastructure to link Hitachi products back to the maintenance call center.

This centralized facility enables Hitachi to solve potential problems before they occur, as well as monitor products around the clock and maintain a higher degree of quality control.

"Jeff German is a strong leader and his talents are synonymous with the high caliber personnel that drive Hitachi Data Systems," said Yoshihiro Koshimizu, chairman and CEO of Hitachi Data Systems. "With Jeff's expertise in technical services and support, our organization will offer customers the assurance that Hitachi Data Systems products will meet and exceed their business needs."

German's career began with ITEL, one of the pioneers in high performance, fully IBM-compatible mainframes. ITEL later became National Advanced Systems, which was acquired by Hitachi, Ltd. and Electronic Data Systems in 1989.

During these early years, German began as a CPU specialist and rapidly progressed through the positions of Director of I/O Support, and most recently, Vice President of Product Engineering and Performance.

In these capacities, German has led the design efforts that created some of the most reliable, high performance storage devices in the world. Most notably, he pioneered the "ET phone home" concept of pre-emptive machine maintenance, called "Hi-Track." Hi-Track allows a complex computer to detect a problem before it happens, alert a central dispatch, and curb a potentially damaging outage for the customer.

This concept is now implemented globally and plays an important role in maintaining networks and ensuring full functionality around the clock for the banking, insurance, and manufacturing industries.

"Hitachi Data Systems has always been an organization committed to offering the best service and support to its customers," said German. "Having contributed to this industry since 1968, I am thrilled at the opportunity to use my experience to maintain and further enhance Hitachi Data Systems' reputation as a quality service provider."

German grew up in Vermilion, Ohio, and attended Wittenberg University and the University of Florida before starting in the computer industry in 1968. His father, Henry German, and sister, Wendy, still reside in Ohio. Jeff currently resides in San Diego.

About Hitachi Data Systems

Recognized as a leading provider of business solutions for the world's most IT-intensive corporations, Hitachi Data Systems offers professional services globally, multiplatform storage subsystems, and the industry's broadest line of high-performance servers.

The company's extensive range of products and services, coupled with its business alliances with key industry leaders, enable it to transform IT into business agility for high-end and middle-market customers. Hitachi Data Systems is owned by Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT) and has its headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif. For further information on Hitachi Data Systems, access www.hds.com.

Note to Editors: Hitachi Data Systems press releases are available at www.hds.com/news/press.html.